GRR1019eGRR1019eGRR1019e

REQUIRES THE USE OF THE DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, THIRD EDITION CORE BOOKS, PUBLISHED BY WIZARDS OF THE COAST, INC.

REQUIRES THE USE OF THE DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, THIRD EDITION CORE BOOKS, PUBLISHED BY WIZARDS OF THE COAST, INC.

REQUIRES THE USE OF THE DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, THIRD EDITION CORE BOOKS, PUBLISHED BY WIZARDS OF THE COAST, INC.

BY SCOTT BENNIEBY SCOTT BENNIEBY SCOTT BENNIE

- Credits -Design: Scott Bennie

Editing and Development: Spike Y Jones Executive Producer: Chris PramasEditorial Assistance: Christina Stiles Proofreading and Additional Development: Chris PramasCover Illustration: Sam Wood Interior Illustration: Ilya Astrakhan, Kent Burles, Toren “Macbin”

Atkinson, Chris Keefe, Mike May, Josh Parker, Chris Martinez and James SmithCartography: Todd Gamble Graphic Design and Art Direction: Hal Mangold

Green Ronin Staff: Nicole Lindroos, Hal Mangold, Chris Pramas, and Evan SassPlaytesters: Stephen J. Sloane, Steve Potyondi, Dennis Dory, Phillip Dunn, Brian

McDonald, Wayne Shaw, and J.E. SawyerSpecial Thanks to Christina Stiles for valuable assistance.

Testament: Roleplaying in the Biblical Era is ©2003 Green Ronin Publishing. Art is ©2003 by the respective artists.

Reference to other copyrighted material in no way constitutes a challenge to the respective copyright holders of that material. Mythic Vistas, Green Ronin, and the Green Ronin logo are trademarks of Green Ronin Publishing.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® and Wizards of the Coast® are registered trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., and are used with permission.

“D20 System” and the “D20 System” logo are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast, Inc., and are used according to the terms of the D20 System License version 3.0. A copy of this license can be found at www.

wizards.com/d20.All text herein is designated as Open Game Content.

Printed in the U.S.A.

Green Ronin PublishingP.O. Box 1723

Renton, WA 98057-1723Email: custserv@greenronin.comWeb Site: www.greenronin.com

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Table of ContentsCredits .......................................................................... 1

Table of Contents ................................................ 2

Introduction ............................................................. 5AgeofBronze,MenofGod................................................................5

Possibilities..................................................................................5MosesWasAWhat?..................................................................5EssentialConcepts.....................................................................5AdventureAwaits!.......................................................................6

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a ...................7

Chapter 1: Characters ........................................8CharacterCreation..............................................................................8

Era..............................................................................................8Nationality................................................................................NationalityNationality 10Flaws.........................................................................................11Languages.................................................................................13NewSkill..................................................................................13

Chapter 2: New Character Classes ............14IsraeliteClasses.................................................................................14

LevitePriest..............................................................................LevitePriestLevitePriest 14ThePsalmist.............................................................................ThePsalmistThePsalmist 17ChampionofIsrael...................................................................19

IsraelitePrestigeClasses....................................................................19Judge.........................................................................................21Prophet.....................................................................................ProphetProphet 22

EgyptianClasses...............................................................................24Khery-Heb................................................................................24

EgyptianPrestigeClasses..................................................................26Ren-Hekau...............................................................................26

BabylonianClasses............................................................................28MagusoftheStarryHost.........................................................MagusoftheStarryHostMagusoftheStarryHost 28

CanaaniteClasses..............................................................................30Qedeshot...................................................................................QedeshotQedeshot 30

GeneralClasses.................................................................................33Spy............................................................................................SpySpy 33

GeneralPrestigeClasses....................................................................35DesertHermit...........................................................................DesertHermitDesertHermit 35Idol-Maker................................................................................Idol-MakerIdol-Maker 36MasterCharioteer.....................................................................MasterCharioteerMasterCharioteer 38RoyalAstrologer.......................................................................RoyalAstrologerRoyalAstrologer 39

Chapter 3: New Feats ..........................................41NewFeats..........................................................................................41MythicFeats......................................................................................47

Chapter 4: Piety ..................................................49PietyPoints&Modifiers...................................................................49

PietyBoons...............................................................................49SinsandCurses.........................................................................49PietyChecks.............................................................................49

GainingandLosingPiety.................................................................GainingandLosingPietyGainingandLosingPiety 50Observance...............................................................................50Sins...........................................................................................50ReducingSin.............................................................................51Uncleanliness............................................................................51

Temptation........................................................................................53Oaths.................................................................................................54

Chapter 5: The Biblical Battlefield ........55TheBasics.........................................................................................55

TimeandInitiative...................................................................55HowFightingWorks...............................................................55Terrain.......................................................................................55

TroopSides.......................................................................................56BattlefieldActions.............................................................................57

BattlefieldAttacks.....................................................................57CastingSpells...........................................................................57

UsingSkills...............................................................................58CommandingTheSide.............................................................58ChallenginganEnemyCaptain................................................59

BattlefieldFeats.................................................................................59CommonArmyBattlefieldFeatCombinations........................62

SampleArmySides...........................................................................63SampleBattle....................................................................................63

Chapter 6: Economics, Community Management, & Equipment .......................68

Money...............................................................................................MoneyMoney 68Barter........................................................................................BarterBarter 68

Equipment.........................................................................................EquipmentEquipment 68WeaponsandArmor.................................................................WeaponsandArmorWeaponsandArmor 68GoodsandServices...................................................................72Land..........................................................................................75

CommunityManagement.................................................................CommunityManagementCommunityManagement 75Farming.....................................................................................FarmingFarming 75

CommunityOptions.........................................................................76TradeGoods.............................................................................76

Chapter 7: New Spells .....................................80NewSpells.........................................................................................80

BlackguardSpells......................................................................80ClericSpells..............................................................................80PaladinSpells............................................................................81PsalmistSpells...........................................................................81QedeshotSpells........................................................................82SorcererandWizardSpells.......................................................82

NewClericDomains.........................................................................83DesertDomain.........................................................................83FertilityDomain.......................................................................83HeavenDomain........................................................................83PestilenceDomain....................................................................83ThunderDomain......................................................................83

NewSpells.........................................................................................84ForbiddenSpells.......................................................................84SpellsDescriptions....................................................................84

Chapter 8: New Magic Items ....................... 106MagicWeaponSpecialAbilities......................................................106MagicArmorSpecialAbilities........................................................107WondrousIncense...........................................................................109Mekhtets.........................................................................................110NewWondrousItems......................................................................111Staffs...............................................................................................111MinorArtifacts...............................................................................113MajorArtifacts................................................................................113

Chapter 9: Biblical Bestiary ...................... 115MonstersoftheIsraeliteMythos....................................................115

Angels.....................................................................................115Behemoth................................................................................121Cattle,Wild............................................................................121Demon,Azazel.......................................................................122Demon,Possessor...................................................................Demon,PossessorDemon,Possessor 123Demon-PossessedTemplate....................................................124Devils......................................................................................124Dragon,Sin.............................................................................126Leviathan(Rahab,Lotan).......................................................127Nephilim.................................................................................128Half-NephilimTemplate........................................................128Rephaim..................................................................................129SeaGoat.................................................................................SeaGoatSeaGoat 129Shamir.....................................................................................130Ziz...........................................................................................ZizZiz 130

MonstersoftheBabylonianMythos...............................................131Anzu.......................................................................................131Auroch....................................................................................132TheBullofHeaven.................................................................132Demon,Lamashtu..................................................................133

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Demon,Lilitu.........................................................................134Demon,Imhullu.....................................................................134Dragon,Death(Dahak)..........................................................135Humbaba(ForestGuardian)...................................................137ScorpionGuard.......................................................................137

MonstersoftheCanaaniteMythosAkilem....................................................................................138Zebub-Spawn.........................................................................139

MonstersoftheEgyptianMythos..................................................139Phoenix...................................................................................140Snake,Apep-Spawn................................................................140AccursedKa-SpiritTemplate..................................................141

Chapter 10: Geography of Israel and Canaan ................................ 143

Overview.........................................................................................OverviewOverview 143Population...............................................................................143Mountains...............................................................................143

Chapter 11: Israelite History ..................... 144TheAntediluvianAge.....................................................................144

CampaigningintheAntediluvianAge...................................144AbrahamtoMoses..........................................................................145

CampaigningintheAgeofthePatriarchs..............................148Gazzeteer................................................................................GazzeteerGazzeteer 148

Moses..............................................................................................149RoleplayingtheExodus..........................................................154Timeline..................................................................................155

TheReignoftheJudges..................................................................156RoleplayingintheTimeofJudges..........................................160Timeline..................................................................................161

TheGoldenAge.............................................................................162DavidtheKing........................................................................DavidtheKingDavidtheKing 164SolomonandAdonijah...........................................................166Roleplaying:TheCultureproblem.........................................167Timeline..................................................................................168

DividedandConquered..................................................................168RoleplayinginaTimeofMisery............................................RoleplayinginaTimeofMiseryRoleplayinginaTimeofMisery 173Timeline..................................................................................173

ExileandReturn.............................................................................174TheMaccabees.......................................................................177RoleplayingintheAgeofRecovery........................................RoleplayingintheAgeofRecoveryRoleplayingintheAgeofRecovery 178Timeline..................................................................................178

Chapter 12: Israelite Culture .....................179Calendar..........................................................................................CalendarCalendar 181Names.............................................................................................183

Chapter 13: Israelite Religion and Cosmology ...................... 1841818

TheLord.........................................................................................184ThePriesthood................................................................................184TheSacredLaw..............................................................................heSacredLawheSacredLaw 184TheTempleoftheIsraelites............................................................185

TheTabernacleSanctuary.......................................................TheTabernacleSanctuaryTheTabernacleSanctuary 185ReligiousSymbolsandArtifacts......................................................186IsraeliteMagicandCosmology.......................................................sraeliteMagicandCosmologysraeliteMagicandCosmology 186

Chapter 14: Canaanite History ................ 187

Chapter 15: Canaanite Culture ................. 188CalendarandFestivals.....................................................................189Names.............................................................................................189

Chapter 16: Canaanite Religion and Cosmology ...................... 190

TheGods........................................................................................190CanaaniteTemples..........................................................................193

Chapter 17: Geography of Egypt ............... 195Overview.........................................................................................OverviewOverview 195

Population...............................................................................195

Chapter 18: Egyptian History ...................197CreationMyths...............................................................................197EarliestCivilizations.......................................................................197AgeofWonders...............................................................................197

TimeofDarkness...................................................................198TarnishedGloryTT ..............................................................................arnishedGloryarnishedGlory 198ANewKingdom.............................................................................198

FailedRevolution....................................................................199ReturntoEmpire....................................................................199

CompetingClaims..........................................................................200Decline....................................................................................200

TheFinalCenturies........................................................................201RoleplayinginEgypt..............................................................RoleplayinginEgyptRoleplayinginEgypt 201Timeline..................................................................................201

Chapter 19: Egyptian Culture ...................203Calendar.........................................................................................CalendarCalendar 205Names............................................................................................ 208

Chapter 20: Egyptian Religion and Magic ................................. 209

GodsDuringtheNewKingdomPeriod........................................ 209GodsAftertheNewKingdom.............................................. 212

TheManyHeadsoftheHumanSoul............................................ 213ReligiousSymbols.......................................................................... 214

Mummification...................................................................... 214Cosmology.....................................................................................CosmologyCosmology 215

TheNatureoftheUniverse................................................... 215Temples.......................................................................................... 216

Priests..................................................................................... 216

Chapter 21: Geography of Mesopotamia ................. 217

Overview........................................................................................OverviewOverview 217Cities...................................................................................... 217

Chapter 22: Mesopotamian History ...... 219GodsandKings......................................................................219

City-States......................................................................................219Sumer......................................................................................SumerSumer 219Akkad......................................................................................219Ur............................................................................................UrUr 219Babylon...................................................................................219TheKassites............................................................................220Assyria.....................................................................................220Chaldea...................................................................................221Persia.......................................................................................222Timeline..................................................................................222

Chapter 23: Mesopotamian Culture ...... 223TheGovernment.............................................................................TheGovernmentTheGovernment 224

CalendarandFestivals............................................................225Names.............................................................................................226

Chapter 24: Babylonian Religion ........... 227Cosmology......................................................................................CosmologyCosmology 229TemplesTT ...........................................................................................230

Priests......................................................................................230

Chapter 25: Campaigning ................................ 231Cosmology..............................................................................CosmologyCosmology 231Eras.........................................................................................231Historicity...............................................................................HistoricityHistoricity 231

PromotingABiblicalFeel...............................................................231CampaignVariations.......................................................................232

Bibliography and Recommended Reading ............................... 233

Reference Tables ...............................................234

Index .......................................................................... 238

Table of Contents

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- Introduction -

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In the Middle East, the two millennia that preceded the time of Jesus were not the dawn of civilization, but the steps that humanity took during this era were impressive. It was not the age of Pyramids, but great builders constructed less heralded works of even greater scope.It was an era of kingships and rebellion, a time of clashing superpowers that built cities and monuments to the gods and the egos of great kings. It was an era when charioteers rode the battlefield like knights, when the warnings of wizards were treated like the voices of the gods, and when empires fell without a trace before an enemy whose footsteps have managed to elude history, the Peoples of the Sea. And yet somehow, in the middle of all this, a small tribe called the Israelites rebelled against the great powers, enduring, and becoming the foundation for three of the world’s great religions. Given how much of human history is shaped by lofty gilded bullies, it is humbling to consider that these descendants of nomads and slaves, a tiny, historically insignificant culture, could cast such a mighty shadow on human destiny.It’s a great story, but can you turn it into a roleplaying game?The Bible may be a little short on dungeons and hoards of magic and treasure, but it does have plenty of conflict, the battle between good and evil, sex, politics, religion, and enough violence to make even the blood-thirstiest barbarian wince. That sounds like a good place to game.Some gamers may feel that there are certain subjects that shouldn’t be roleplayed, and the Bible may be at the top of their list. That’s a legitimate opinion, but if you can make a film out of controversial subject matter, you can game it. But because it is a sensitive subject, we need to offer an explanation for some of the choices we’ve made.

PossibilitiesThere are a number of approaches that we could have take to roleplaying in a Biblical setting. We could have tried to make this into a game targeted specifically at Christians or Jews who wanted to study about their faith. But RPGs work best as entertainment, particularly when the designer is not a pastor and not trained in theology. Testament draws on the Bible as its primary inspiration, but it’s not meant to be a vehicle to proselytize the author’s (or anyone else’s) views.We could have done this purely as a historical supplement and viewed any event (especially the supernatural or miraculous) with the suspicion of a modern eye. But we’re running a fantasy game, a game of magic and mythology, and if prophets aren’t empowered by the god of Israel, demons don’t drive men mad, and giants don’t walk the Earth, we’re not doing the source material justice.Instead elements of history and the religions of four major cultures have been mixed together, and it all could be true. The Testament setting draws upon historical sources that describe the cultures of the Israelites, but also includes neighboring civilizations, such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, Canaanites, and Hittites, who also have gods who empower their cultures. We’ve also included creatures from non-Hebrew mythology and the Apocrypha to expand the monstrous challenges faced by heroes, and to facilitate GMs who don’t want to run Israel-centric campaigns.Roleplaying games empower the Game Master and the players to tell the stories they want to tell, and play the games they want to play, and it’s up to the GM to decide what’s true and what isn’t in this recreation of a mythological world. We’ve provided advice on a few of the more controversial questions, but in the end the GM has to run the campaign he feels comfortable running.

Moses Was A What?In the world of Testament, Moses is listed as a 3rd-level paladin/7th-level Levite priest/10th-level prophet of the Lord. We know that Moses didn’t throw around cure spells in the Bible, his staff was not enchanted

with a control water spell, he probably didn’t look a thing like Charleton Heston, and he likely didn’t race around in a chariot with Ramesses before he became pharaoh; we aren’t claiming factual accuracy.Instead, we are striving to capture the spirit of the Bible. We’re trying to portray the general characteristics of the Biblical characters: Samson is really strong, Moses is a miracle-worker of incredible power, David is a poet as well as a warrior, and angels are great and terrifying creatures.We interpret the source material metaphorically. In other words, the Bible doesn’t tell us that Israelites physically battled tempter devils, or sphinxes, or other mythical monsters, or that seraphs transformed into fiery serpents (although there is etymological evidence to suggest that they could), but adding these features makes the game more playable.This is a milieu where the gap between the mundane and the mythic is pretty large. In a typical RPG campaign, there’s a smooth gradation of power levels; in the stories of the Bible, power tends to come in two forms: very small and very large. In order to provide challenges to a wide variety of power levels, we’ve extrapolated a lot of the magic and monsters (which has happened to an awful lot to Biblical material throughout the ages).We’re also dealing with subject matter where there are more differences in interpretation than in any other literature in history. No simulation of the Jewish Bible will satisfy all interpretations. We provide our version, but ultimately the interpretation of the campaign belongs to the GM, who can alter it to taste.

Essential Concepts Some concepts that set the world of Testament apart from other d20 System campaign settings include the following.

ErasUnlike many other settings, which focus on a single point in time, Testament covers four major political spheres over a millennium of time. Era is the term used to describe the specific place and time in which the GM chooses to set the campaign.

Cosmological SpheresIn the conflicting worlds of Testament the contradictory cosmologies of the ancient world aren’t reconciled into a single truth; instead, each of the truths of the different cultures is valid for its members.Thus, Egyptian characters are sure that when they die they’re judged on their adherence to the principles of ma’at, and if they pass the test the nine parts of their souls enjoy a healthy afterlife, so one of the motivating principles in life for them is to ensure that they do well after death. At the same time, Israelite characters believe that their purpose in life is to hold true to the terms of their covenant with the Lord, to ensure the continued prosperity of his Chosen People in this world. And from the Canaanite perspective, life is a struggle, then you die, the afterlife is no great shakes, so you may as well enjoy life as it lasts.The gods of the different pantheons all exist, and each pantheon has roughly the same amount of power over the domains of its mortal followers.

Divine vs. Arcane MagicSome cultures straddle the traditional boundary between divine and arcane magic; the Egyptians, for example, see little or no difference between the forms. On the other hand, the Hebrews think of magic as solely the province of the Lord and the use of arcane magic ranks among the highest of blasphemies.

Introduction- Age of Bronze, Men of God -

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- Introduction -

The Hidden WorldMany powerful beings are Hidden from the world; they walk among mortals unseen. This is more than invisibility or etherealness; it’s a state of divine

grace (or infernal power) that hides them from humanity, unless called upon to intervene in our world.

PietyIn Testament campaigns, the GM is given the option of replacing traditional d20 System alignments with Piety, a measure of how well attuned the character is to his society’s concept of a moral person. A pious character can hope to receive boons from his god, but when a character commit evil acts, his Piety score decreases, making it difficult to contact his god, and improving the chance of the character being cursed.

CommunityThis is a historical era where the health of the community is more important than the glory of the individual, so as well as adventuring, player characters can participate in the activities of their home villages or towns: herding cattle, growing crops, and making trade goods, in addition to assisting with the many problems (internal and external) faced by the tribe.

Adventure Awaits!Welcome to the wild world of the late Bronze Age Middle East, where the servants of the gods walk hidden among men, and empires struggle to maintain their supremacy in a world of change, where the descendants of fallen angels plot against man, and monsters tread the Earth. Have fun.

The Name Of GodThe god of Israel is referred to in many ways in the Bible. His personal name is YHVH (often pronounced Yahweh in modern times; possibly pronounced more like Yau or Yaui in ancient times). This holy name probably stems from the Hebrew word meaning “to be,” and it was not generally bandied about by the Israelites; the only time it was spoken aloud was by priests at the First Temple, who said it only on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day of the year, at a time when their words were drowned out by the singing of psalms, and by priests of the Second Temple who whispered the word so as to keep it secret and sacred.The first two letters of this holy name appear in many Jewish names: names with “yah” or “iah” like Jeremiah or Netanyahu, or “Jo” (“Yeho” in Hebrew) like Joshua. The elements can even appear more than once, such as in the name Josiah.In general usage, though, Israelites substituted another word for the personal name of their god when they spoke it aloud. Adonai (“Lord”) was a common substitute, and when the consonants YHVH were written in the Bible, diacritical marks representing the vowels for Adonai were written under the letters as a reminder of what word should be spoken in its place when reading the Bible or prayers that used Biblical quotations. Texts that included the personal name of the god of Israel could not be deliberately destroyed by Israelites, so they didn’t write his name on anything that they weren’t willing to preserve forever in the way they stored holy texts.El (“High One”) was often combined with other words to refer to the god of Israel; e.g., El HaKadosh (“the holy god”), El Emet (“the god of truth”), or El Shaddai (“God almighty”).Related to El are the words Elohah (“god”; a generic term referring to any deity) and Elohim (a plural form, meaning “gods” when referring to foreign deities, and the abstract quality of “divinity” when referring to the god of Israel).The importance of the name of Israel’s god in the religion should not be underestimated. Sin was called Chillul Ha-Shem (“profanity against the Name”), while deeds that glorified him and enhanced Israel’s reputation were called Kiddush Ha-Shem (“Sanctification of the Name”).Testament uses the personal names of the gods of other religions, but the terms “god of Israel” and “the Lord” to refer to YHVH.

BCE?Throughout Testament we use the religiously neutral terms BCE (Before Common Era) instead of BC (Before Christ), and CE (Common Era) instead of AD (Anno Domini).

- 7 -

- Introduction -

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on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The Village of Briarton Copyright 2003 by Gold Rush Games; Authors Patrick Sweeney, Christina Stiles; Editing & Additional Material

by Spike Y Jones Uncommon Character Copyright 2003, Trident Inc., d/b/a Atlas Games Waysides: Book of Taverns Copyright 2003, Eden Studios, Inc Testament: Roleplaying in the Biblical Era, Copyright 2003, Green Ronin Publishing; Author Scott Bennie

- OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a -

- 8 -

Character generation in the Testament setting is identical to that in other d20 System settings with only a couple additional steps.• The GM decides the era in which the campaign will be staged• The player decides his PC’s nationality and picks a character flaw

for him.

EraBefore the campaign begins, the GM must pick an era for the campaign. The era specifies the time and place in which the campaign is set, and which people are the focus of the campaign. If a GM chooses to focus on the Israelites, the following eras are available:

Antediluvian (Approx. 3000 BCE)

This is before the Flood, when men live to be over 900 years old, and giants walk the Earth in great abundance. This is an age of mythic kingdoms, demons, and the struggle of humanity to survive against primal forces and terrifying evils that both threaten and tempt it.In this era, the heroes may either seek to fight the growing wickedness that threatens to bring down the Lord’s wrath, or they may work to preserve a remnant of humanity from the Deluge.Heroes in this era increase their age categories by a multiple of 10, such that they are considered Middle Age at 350 years, Old at 530 years, and Venerable at 700 years. Characters can live up to 700 + (2d20 × 10) years.

Israel: Pre-Egypt (Approx. 2000-1800 BCE)

This is the time of Abraham through Joseph, before the 12 Tribes were established; good people wander amid primitive, evil cities, such as the infamous Sodom and Gomorrah. It is also a time of awakening faith and the struggle to discover the Lord, in both his benign and wrathful forms, when one is as likely to wrestle an angel as to receive his assistance.In this era, the PCs are herdsmen, farmers, and city dwellers sympathetic to the Patriarchs and their search for a homeland and a purpose in life.

Israel: The Exodus (1274-1234 BCE)

The Israelite slaves fled Egypt in search of the Promised Land, spending 40 years wandering in the wilderness. This is a time when faith is tested by trial, adversity, and uncertainty about what awaits in the Land of Milk and Honey.In this era, the PCs fight off hostile tribes and other wilderness menaces, while attempting to keep the morale and the faith of the people strong as they wander.

Israel: Time of the Judges (1234-1028 BCE)

This is an uncertain time, when the Peoples of the Sea devastate the Mediterranean coasts, and the 12 Tribes of Israel take advantage of the upheaval by moving into Canaan. At this time there are no kings in Israel, and law and order is kept by elite men and women called by the Lord to be judges and prophets.In the first part of this era, the PCs take the role of advance scouts for the people of Israel, looking for Canaanite weaknesses and opportunities to establish a foothold in the Promised Land. Later they assist the judges in

resolving inter-tribal conflicts and handling external threats, while tending their own flocks and serving as leaders of their local communities. Some may even be judges, on a local, tribal, or even national level, or prophets, warning the people of threats from within and without.

Israel: The Early Kingdom (1028-924 BCE)

This is the time of Saul and David and Solomon, of war and rebellion and the deeds of mighty men, the rise and corruption of great kings, and the attempts of a fledgling nation to assert itself against its traditional enemies.In this era, the PCs are soldiers and heroes, assisting kings whose personal instincts aren’t always the best or completely in tune with the will of the god of Israel.

Israel: The Two Kingdoms (924-587 BCE)

In the days before Babylon and Assyria broke the Israelite kingdoms and sent the best of their people into exile, brave men and women known as prophets attempt to warn the people of the impending disaster brought on by their own shortcomings as much as by the strength of neighboring kingdoms.In this campaign, the PCs deal with threats to the nation from all quarters. They must try to forestall the wrath of the Lord by awakening a spark of faith in a people grown cold and decadent.

Israel: The Exile (587-539 BCE)

Israel and Judah’s elite were deported to foreign lands, some scattered throughout the Assyrian Empire, others concentrated in the capital of Babylon. Many assimilated themselves into the surrounding culture and abandoned their Israelite heritage, but some struggled to remain true to the Lord, praying for a return to the land promised to their ancestors.PCs can be slaves, soldiers, priests, prophets, or scribes trying to maintain their traditions and loyalty to the Lord while in a strange land, and working to engineer a second Exodus. Or they can be part of the population left behind in Israel, coping with harsh overlords and attempting to preserve themselves in expectation of a change in circumstances.

Israel: The Return (539-323 BCE)

After a few generations of exile, the Jews were allowed to return to Judea and rebuild the Temple. But they’d have to deal with the kinsmen who’d been left behind during the Exile, and the foreigners resettled in the land by the Babylonians, none of whom were happy to relinquish territory and power to the returning exiles.The PCs can be part of the wave of religious reformers attempting to reinstate the proper worship of the Lord in Judea.

Israel: The Maccabees (323-135 BCE)

A century and a half after the return, a new threat emerged: the Seleucid Empire, which wanted to supplant the Jewish faith with pagan Greek practices.

Chapter 1: Characters- Character Creation -

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- CHAPTER 1: Characters -